Object dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispensing unit that includes a chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible characteristics. The dispensing unit also includes a sensor capable of detecting presence of a second object, a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of the plurality of first objects in response to the sensor detecting the second object, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the dispensing mechanism. Preferably, the controller is capable of activating the dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from the sensor. Additionally, the dispensing unit includes at least one power source capable of providing power to at least one of the sensor, the dispensing mechanism, and the controller.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from the provisionally filed U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 60/748,597, filed Dec. 9, 2005. Thatapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate to a device that is capable of dispensingobjects, without the need for an individual to come in direct contactwith the dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, dispensers are of box type configuration where a large number(usually between 50 to 200) of desired objects, such as toothpicks,straws, coffee stir sticks, gum, serving utensils, etc. are placed in abox and are presented individually. To obtain one of the objects, aperson must manually open or manipulate the box and remove one of theobjects. Generally, during this process, when a person is trying toremove one of the objects, the person's hand or fingers contacts one ormore of the objects in or on the dispenser box. A person can transmitinfections to these objects with their hands when they contact theobject or dispenser box. The action of opening the box causes theperson's hand to become contaminated (if not already) and the action ofremoving one of the objects causes the remaining objects in the box toalso become contaminated. Accordingly, when the dispensed object isused, e.g., a toothpick placed in the mouth, the contaminated dispensedobject may lead to infections including bacterial, viral or parasiticdiseases. Also, dust or other environmental contaminants can enter thebox or attach to the dispending tray/arm to contaminate the remainingtoothpicks.

Other dispensers, such as presently used toothpick dispensers and strawdispensers utilize a lever like mechanism to dispense a single toothpickor straw. However, such dispensers include the same disadvantages.Generally, the lever of such dispensing units is dirty which causes theperson's hand touching the lever to become contaminated. The personhaving the contaminated hand and fingers then picks-up the dispensedstraw or toothpick which causes the straw and/or toothpick to becomecontaminated as well. Then the person places the toothpick or straw inhis or her mouth which can transmit diseases or infections.Additionally, when picking up the object, the dispensing tray/armbecomes contaminated and has the potential to harbor infections thustransmitting them to all other objects ejected.

Thus, there exists a need to provide a disperser that does not requirethe user to directly contact the dispenser to dispense an object, suchas a toothpick, straw, cup lid, or coffee stir stick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings provide a dispensing unit that can include atleast one chamber capable of housing a plurality of first objects, asensor capable of detecting the presence of a second object, and adispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of the plurality of firstobjects in response to the sensor detecting the second object.Furthermore, the present teachings disclose a power source capable ofproviding power to the sensor and the dispensing mechanism.Additionally, the dispensing unit includes at least one controller incommunication with the sensor and the dispensing mechanism.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth, in part, in the description that follows, and, in part, will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of variousembodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodimentswill be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a dispensing unit according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing unitaccording to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another dispensing unitaccording to various embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of thepresent teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present teachings are directed to a dispensing unit that does notrequire the user to directly contact the dispenser to dispense one ofplurality of objects, such as toothpicks, straws, cup lids, or coffeestir sticks.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispensing unit 10 having at least onechamber 70 capable of housing a plurality of first objects 60 is shown.The dispensing unit 10 can also include at least one sensor 20 capableof detecting a presence of a second object (not shown in the Figs.),such as a person or a moving hand that is a predetermined distance awayfrom the sensor 20. Furthermore, the dispensing unit 10 can include atleast one dispensing mechanism 40 that is capable of dispensing one ofthe plurality of first objects 60 in response to the sensor 20 detectingthe second object. Preferably, the dispensing unit 10 also includes acontroller 30 that is capable of controlling the dispensing mechanism40. A power source 90, such as a lithium battery cell, can provide powerto the sensor 20, the dispensing mechanism 40, and/or the controller 30.

The plurality of first objects 60 can be any object. For example, theplurality of first objects 60 can be any objects having a thickness ofat least about 0.1 mm or any objects that are flexible, semi-rigid, orrigid in characteristics. Additionally, the plurality of first objects60 can be any objects that are not tissues or garments. FIGS. 1-4 showthe plurality of first objects 60 as being toothpicks; however otherexemplary plurality of first objects that can be dispensed using thedispensing unit 10 of the present teachings can be cup-lids, straws, andutensils (e.g., forks, knifes, and/or spoons).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor 20, which is capable of detectingthe presence of the second object, can be a motion detector, a lightsensor, or a heat sensor. Preferably, the sensor 20 is in communicationwith the controller 30 via wire 22. However, the sensor 20 and thecontroller 30 can also be in communication via other means, such asinfrared or radio frequency.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing mechanism 40 caninclude a motor 45 that is in communication with the controller 30 viawire 32. However, the motor 45 and the controller 30 can also be incommunication via other means, such as infrared or radio frequency.Additionally, the motor 45 is capable of rotating a first movingmechanism 55, which can be a rotating member, such as a wheel.Preferably, the first moving mechanism 55 is made of a material havinggripping characteristics to grasp one of the plurality of first objects60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55. In one example, themotor 45 rotates the first moving mechanism 55, which causes one of theplurality of first objects 60 to dispense by at least partially exitingthe opening 100. Alternatively, the first moving mechanism 55 includes acoating 57 on its surface that has gripping characteristics. An exampleof a gripping material includes any polymer based material, such as arubber or a plastic. Preferably, the first moving mechanism 55 and/orthe coating 57 includes a sanitizing composition mixed therein toprevent contamination of one of the plurality of first objects 60 incontact with the first moving mechanism 55 or the coating 57.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of dispensing mechanism 40 of thepresent teachings. According to FIG. 3, the dispensing mechanism 40 caninclude a motor 45, a first moving mechanism 55, a second movingmechanism 65, and a belt 50 that is rotatably positioned around thefirst and second moving mechanisms 55 and 65. Preferably, at least aportion of belt 50 is in contact with at least a portion of one of theplurality of first objects 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 45 ispositioned to rotate the first moving mechanism 55, which in turn causesthe belt 50 and the second moving mechanism 65 to move or turn.Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first moving mechanism 55 is themaster moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism 65 is the slavemoving mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the motor 45 ispositioned to rotate the second moving mechanism 65, which in turncauses the belt 50 and the first moving mechanism 55 to move or turn.Accordingly, in this alternative embodiment, the second moving mechanism65 is the master moving mechanism and the first moving mechanism is theslave moving mechanism. Alternatively, the motor 45 is positioned tosimultaneously rotate both the first and the second moving mechanisms 55and 65. In another exemplary embodiment, the dispensing unit 40 caninclude two motors 45. A first motor is position to rotate the firstmoving mechanism 55 and the second motor is positioned to rotate thesecond moving mechanism 65. In this alternative embodiment, it ispreferable that the two motors are synchronized so that they move thefirst and second moving mechanisms 55 and 65 at the same time and at thesame speed to prevent the belt 50 from slipping.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, to ensure that one of the plurality of firstobjects 60 is in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, the coating57 (FIGS. 1 and 2), or the belt 50 (FIG. 3), the chamber 70 can includea design to provide a force on the plurality first objects 60. Forexample, the chamber 70 can include a movable wall 72. Preferably, aspring 80 is in contact with the movable wall 72 and is positioned toplacing a sufficient force on the movable wall 72 so that one of theplurality of first objects housed in the chamber 70 comes in contactwith the first moving mechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative design for ensuring that one of theplurality of first objects 60 is in contact with the first movingmechanism 55, the coating 57, or the belt 50 is shown. According to FIG.4, the chamber 70 is designed such that the weight of the plurality offirst objects 60 housed in the chamber 70 can cause one of the pluralityof first objects 60 come in contact with the first moving mechanism 55,the coating 57, or the belt 50. For example, the chamber 70 can includea slope with an angle sufficient to position one of the plurality offirst objects 60 in contact with the first moving mechanism 55, thecoating 57, or the belt 50.

In operation, when the sensor 20 detects the second object (e.g., amoving hand), the sensor 20 can provide a signal to the controller 30via the wire 22. In response, to receiving the signal from the sensor20, the controller 30 can activate the dispensing mechanism 40 todispense one of the plurality of first objects 60. Preferably, when thecontroller 30 receives a signal from the sensor 20, the controller 30activates the motor 45 for a predetermined time. The activated motor 45rotates the first moving mechanism 55, which can include the coating 57or the belt 50 for a predetermined time and/or number of rotations andspeed. The rotation of the first moving mechanism 55 and/or the belt 50can cause one of the plurality of first objects 60 to move for adistance to at least partially exit the opening 100 so that a person inneed of one of the plurality of first objects 60 can secure the firstobject 60 without touching the remaining of the plurality of firstobjects 60 that are housed in the chamber 70. In the alternativeembodiment, wherein each of the first moving mechanism 55 and the secondmoving mechanism 65 is connected to a motor, the controller 30 canactive and synchronize both motors for a predetermined time.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms.Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection withparticular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of thepresent teachings should not be so limited. Various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theteachings herein.

1. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chamber capable of housinga plurality of first objects having at least one of rigid, semi-rigid,and flexible characteristics; at least one sensor capable of detecting apresence of a second objects; at least one dispensing mechanism capableof dispensing one of said plurality of first objects in response to saidsensor detecting said second object; at least one controller incommunication with said sensor and said dispensing mechanism, whereinsaid at least one controller is capable of activating said dispensingmechanism in response to receiving a signal from said sensor; and atleast one power source capable of providing power to at least one ofsaid sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and said controller.
 2. Thedispensing unit of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a motiondetector, a light sensor, or a combination thereof.
 3. The dispensingunit of claim 1, wherein said dispenser mechanism comprises at least amotor.
 4. The dispensing unit of claim 3, further comprising at least afirst moving mechanism, wherein said motor is capable of moving saidfirst moving mechanism.
 5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein saidfirst moving mechanism is a wheel.
 6. The dispensing unit of claim 4,wherein said at least first moving mechanism includes at least one of agripping material and a coating with gripping characteristics.
 7. Thedispensing unit of claim 6, wherein said at least gripping material orcoating comprises a polymer based material.
 8. The dispensing unit ofclaim 6, wherein said at least gripping material or coating comprises asanitizing composition.
 9. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein saidat least first moving mechanism comprises a sanitizing composition. 10.The dispensing unit of claim 4, further comprising at least a secondmoving mechanism.
 11. The dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein saidsecond moving mechanism is connected to a motor.
 12. The dispensing unitof claim 7, further comprising a belt positioned around said firstmoving mechanism and said second moving mechanism.
 13. The dispensingunit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises at least one of a grippingmaterial and a coating with gripping characteristics.
 14. The dispensingunit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a polymer.
 15. Thedispensing unit of claim 12, wherein said belt comprises a sanitizingcomposition.
 16. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein said powersource is a battery, solar panel, electrical power, or a combinationsthereof.
 17. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chamber capableof housing a plurality of first objects, wherein each of said pluralityof first objects include a thickness of at least about 0.1 mm; at leastone sensor capable of detecting presence of a second object; at leastone dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality offirst objects in response to said sensor detecting said second object;at least one controller in communication with said sensor and saiddispensing mechanism, wherein said at least one controller is capable ofactivating said dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signalfrom said sensor; and at least one power source capable of providingpower to at least one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, andsaid controller.
 18. A dispensing unit comprising: at least one chambercapable of housing a plurality of first objects, wherein said pluralityof first objects excludes towels; at least one sensor capable ofdetecting a presence of a second object; at least one dispensermechanism capable of dispensing one of said plurality of first objectsin response to said sensor detecting said second object; at least onecontroller in communication with said sensor and said dispensingmechanism, wherein said at least one controller is capable of activatingsaid dispensing mechanism in response to receiving a signal from saidsensor; and at least one power source capable of providing power to atleast one of said sensor, said dispensing mechanism, and saidcontroller.